The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-13
A COUNCIL OF OLD FARMERS.
One OF the Features Of the State Fair.
From the Nears and Courier.

From the Neps and Courier.
As advertised in the Ne,rs s Courier
OF to-day's issue. the nineteenth annual
Fair of the State Agricultural and Me-
chanical Society OF South Carolina will
be opened in the city Of Columbia, on
Tuesday, November the Sth- 1887, and
continue four days. The State Fair is
so we'll known at this day and time, not
only throughout ie entire State, but in
many 20 .tions of the country at large,
that it would seem almost supertluous
to more than state the date of its occur
renee to secure for it its usual large at
tendance Of all classes of its citizens.
desire on this occasion to simply call
your attention to one new fea. Ire that
will be original with this Fair, and that
is, to have during the Fair, say on We'd
nesday, November 9, meeting of the
old settlers of the State, delegation of
three from each county who have made
farming their principal business for
forty years. can but believe that such
meeting will result in good to all who
will listen to these old farmers discuss
ing farming as it was half century ago,
as it is to-day, and as it can be in the
near future. Some valuable experiences
NAV be heard, which will throw some
light on our troubled agricultural mat
terS. 1t may develop the fact that all
our agricultural glitter OF the so-called
byegone days was not all pure gold, and
that the farmers of the early days of this
century had troubles, disappointments
and failures that we have never dreamed
of and that will make US think that,
after all, our ''lines are cast in pleasant
places"
There will be much food for valuable
thought suggested by the experience OF
the members of such meeting. Take a
delegate who has scored three quarters
Of the present century and his life will
have contained large majority Of the
great inventions and improvements, not
only in agriculture, bnt in all the arts
and sciences Of our age. AS an illustra-
ton, when such delegate was born
Fulton's first steamboat was only five
years old, and very undeyeloped af-
fair at that. 1t took at that time three
months, and some times six, to cross the
Atlantic, and now week is being con-
s;dered tireseme journey. When this
delegate was twelve years old the first
iron plow was made, and the farmers of
that day shook their heads and said SIT
won't do, TOO heavy;;' irregular horse
killers" Now al old-time wooden plow
stock would be genuine curiosity.
What an interesting exhibit a full line
of agricultural tools and machinery used
three quarters Of century ago would
make by the side OF a we'll equipped
farm of to-day.
Our delegate could tell US he was
eighteen years old when he went to see
the first train OF cars that was run in
South Carolina. Now, excluding some
of her coast region, South Carolina has
as many miles OF railroad as any State
in the Union in proportion to her terri
tory. He was twenty-one years old be-
fore he ever saw or before there was
such thing as lucifer match, and he
| had up to that time been using his cum
bersome Undertook. He had almost
reached middle life before science took
| charge of electricity and the first tele-
graphic message was sent. He could
tell US about the time when our grain
| crops were cut with the hand reap hook,
| then the grass blade, then the grain era
die, then the req per, then the harvester,
and now it would seem that perfection
! was reached lin the Prairie Headers that
cut, thrash and sack the grain by one
machine in the field.
Equal Improvements almost have been
| made in handling our great cotton sta
pie. But these few items are mentioned
only to call attention to what an interest
such meeting could give to, and how
very suggestive the discussion might be
| made.
A place on the Fair Grounds will be
arranged for the meetings, and will re-
quest Col. Crayton, of Anderson, Col.
Watts. of Laurens, Chancellor Johnson,
of Marion, Col. Beadon Of Colleton, and
Col. McBee Of Greenville, to act as a
committee to take charge of the meet
ing and correspond with me as to pro-
gramme and suggest the names Of some
speakers. This is rot intended to be a
formal meeting, but one Of actual expe-
riences and talks of every day work.
Let the farmers in each county meet
as early as possible and select delcga-
ton of three and forward their names to
me at Union, S. c., giving the point at
which they will take the railroad, as the
railroads have agreed to give these dele
gates special rates. I would urge our
life members to take charge Of this mat
ter in their respective counties and see
that the delegates are appointed at as
early day as possible, so I will have
time to arrange the transportation. Co.
lumbia will see to it that some special
arrangement is made for entertaining
the delegates. I have been thinking Of
this meeting for some time, but fearing
it might conflict with the meeting Of the
Farmers Convention 1 had concluded
to give it up, but since that meeting has
been postponed until another time am
anxious to make the effort to have this
one assemble, and that is my reason for
not giving earlier notice. will highly
appreciate any notice or aid kindly ex-
tended by the country press for this
meeting, and can only express my re-
gret that the society is not in condi-
tton to send each of them paying ad-
yertisement. D. P. DUNCAN.